Amy's House of Cookies

Thank you all so much for all the wonderful comments that you left about my menu and soup - it really is very good, it's Sean's favourite. :) When I made some to freeze yesterday (it also freezes fabulously) I realized that I forget to mention that you can add 1 tbs of soy sauce when you're adding the stock powder to add a bit more flavour. I've also added the recipe for ANZAC Biscuits (which are another Sean favourite) below. In the link above you can check out more information about them. Try them and you'll love them! For those overseas, these biscuits are an Australian staple - YUM!

I've had a great couple of days and have really been enjoying being at home. I've spent all day yesterday and today baking and cooking future meals and snacks to try and get a handle on lunches and dinners. We don't like buying things that I can make at home like cookies and snacks and things, but I have been soooo slack lately and poor Sean has suffered with his lunches - so I thought it was time to make it up to him! I've made all kinds of biscuits - peanut butter ones, coconut ones, choc-chip ones, anzac ones... I went a bit cookie crazy. :)

We also had a great Prayer and Bible study at church, tonight. The study was all about prayer and how much it can influence our lives and the lives of others - it was really inspiring and I've gained a new appreciation for prayer, even more than I had before. Between that and my bedside book "By Their Blood: Christian Martyrs from the 20th Century & Beyond" my faith has grown in leaps and bounds and I am so thankful for how He has guided me so far and I'm looking forward to the future! Praise God!

Well I'm off for tonight. Tomorrow I will be doing more baking - I'm planning on baking some more bread, rolls and muffins. I also want to try Pita chips. :) I've also got general cleaning to do (I'm thinking of making one of those household notebooks...) and I'll be going to see my parents tomorrow as well to help them with some computer issues. Whew! I'm tired already! LOL

Anzac Biscuits (cookies)

1 c rolled oats (not instant)
1 c plain flour
1 c sugar
3/4 c coconut
125g (4 oz) butter
2 tbs golden syrup (I've used Karo light corn syrup just fine)
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tbs boiling water

Combine oats, flour, sugar and coconut in large bowl.
Combine butter and golden syrup in a small saucepan and stir over a low heat until melted together. In a cup mix bicarb soda with boiling water and add to butter mixture and then stir this into the dry ingredients.
Place spoonfuls of mixture on a lightly greased oven tray - allowing room for spreading.
Cook at 205C/400F for 10-12 minutes.
They will spread and become golden. If you prefer a chewier biscuit take them out when just golden, if you prefer a crunchier biscuit leave them in a little longer - the darker they are the crunchier they'll be.
They will be soft and pliable so allow them to cool on trays.
Makes about 35-40 biscuits.

Menu Plan Monday

To start off the new week right, I thought I would jump on board the menu bandwagon!

Monday: Homemade chicken & corn soup with bread rolls
Tuesday: Pork chops with fried potatoes and vegetables (corn & broccoli)
Wednesday: Satay chicken with rice
Thursday: Spaghetti with homemade tomato and meat sauce
Friday: Roast chicken and vegetables
Saturday: Chicken tacos (with leftover chicken)
Sunday: Moroccan chicken with rice or couscous

Recipes for the above:

Chicken & Corn Soup (4 serves)

1 (or 2 if small) chicken breast
1 medium can creamed corn
2 (or to taste) chicken stock cubes
1 egg
Salt and pepper to taste
*Optional are: half a leek, 1 stalk of celery and 1 carrot - they add to the base layer of the soup. Not needed, but add extra flavour. I only use these if I have some that need to be used.

Fill a medium saucepan up 3/4 full with water. Add chicken and optional vegetables if you're using them. Bring water to the boil and boil until the chicken is cooked and turn down heat slightly to a simmer.
Remove chicken and vegetables from broth. Vegetables can be put aside for another dish. Put chicken on a plate to cool slightly.
Add the stock cubes to the simmering water and once dissolved, add the creamed corn and continue simmer.
Finely shred the chicken now that it's cooled. I use a fork for this, but use whatever works for you. Once shredded, add to the soup.
Have a taste at this point - it may need more stock powder or just a bit of salt and pepper.
Turn off the heat and let it cool ever so slightly. Whisk the egg and add to the soup. It should just dissolve into the soup but depending on how hot the water is, it may poach the egg. If it does this just whisk away to break it up and take out any large bits. We eat as is. ;)
Serve with fresh baked bread rolls and butter!

Homemade Tomato & Meat Sauce

500g beef mince (hamburger)
1 sachet tomato paste
1 can Big Red tomato soup
1 medium onion
1 tbs Italian Herbs seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Brown mince and onion in a small amount of oil (if needed). Once cooked, add tomato paste and mix with meat. Add tomato soup and stir. Add seasonings and garlic powder. Taste to see if it needs more of anything (ie, salt, or pepper, or herbs etc). That's it! Serve with pasta.

Spicy Moroccan Chicken (serves 8)

900g (2lbs) boneless chicken thighs halved
1/4 water + 1/4 vinegar put together
3 tbs honey
1 tbs oil
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 medium onion, sliced
4 garlic cloves, crushed (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
2/3 c pitted prunes halved
2/3 dried apricots halved
Salt and pepper to taste

In the morning (or the night before) combine all ingredients other than chicken in a shallow casserole dish. Mix together until combined. Add chicken and coat in marinade. Cover and chill overnight (or 8 hrs) in fridge.
Take dish out of fridge, remove cover and put straight into a 205C (or 400F) oven for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink.

(from Company's Coming - Rush Hour Recipes by Jean Pare)

My favourite hymn

Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Words by Ka­tha­ri­na von Schle­gel

Translated by Jane Borthwick

Music by Jean Si­bel­i­us

Back to Normal... mostly. :)

The week has flown by and after a day of fasting and prayer I actually feel very rejuvenated and ready to get back into the swing of things.

We had two wonderful sermons today at church about trials and testing which reminded me just how much the Lord loves us in every facet of life. The Lord cares! Sometimes I think it's so easy to forget about the plans He has for us and to want to try and do our own thing, our own way - that was partially my dilemma last week.

As I think I've stated before, I didn't grow up as a Christian and only the Lord knows how much I struggle against my worldly background every day. It is SO easy to fall right back into the old ways, the old friends, the old thoughts.

I recently ran into an old friend of mine who I haven't seen since high school when I was in a very different season of my life. Seeing her and how much she had made of her life, in the worldly sense, left a very bitter taste in my mouth. She made several comments about my dress, my lifestyle and reminded me of my roots. How could she live the way she did and have so much when I was trying to live the right way and felt I had so little? I was envious, I was jealous and forgive me, I wanted what she had. Here begins the dilemma.

Sean and I have been struggling recently (and always really) with finances. We both incurred debt early and have since been trying to pay them off but it just never seems to decrease in size and more seems to be incurred through toll fines all the time, which is a story in itself.

Long story short: I was considering going to university to begin a career.

Knowing how much I could get paid in the field I had chosen it was very tempting and seeing this old friend just sealed the deal. I wanted the nice house, the nice car, the nice clothes - more than anything though I wanted to pay off our debts. I looked up courses, I spoke to people about employment internships and basically organized to begin a new phase of life.

Then the Lord, how gracious He is, brought me right back down to earth. He made the course I was planning to take unavailable to me and reminded me of my purpose: as a wife, as a woman and as a personal striving for Christ.

One day I hope to be able to say: ..."for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content." (Phil 4:11) but until then I am sure I will struggle and fall and pick myself back up.

Forgive me for being so open but I felt it best to be honest in my struggles, no matter how inarticulate the post may be. Through this I've learned how important it is to surround yourself with Godly people, material and things. We just may be having a clear out very shortly.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:8

Decisions

Sorry that I've been away for so long. Sean and I are making a few major life decisions and they have taken up a good part of my activities and thoughts for the past week or so. There has been countless hours of prayer and discussion and we would appreciate your prayers for guidance also if you think of us. :) I'll give more information later on when things are more settled and, well... decided.

I'm going to try and get back into the routine in the meantime. :)

I've been working on some crochet gifts this week and I had forgotten just how much I love it. It's so relaxing and rhythmic - great for any television time. I also love just how quickly things come together, it's very satisfying. :) Unfortunately, however, Loki and B are also very fond of balls of wool, cotton and acrylic. LOL. It's a good exercise of patience and correct discipline. :)

Today is going to be spent on washing and a bit of cleaning. Sean had been away for work and came home Friday night with a suitcase full of dirty clothes and I'm trying to get them all clean (and dried and pressed!) before he leaves again tomorrow. We've been out all weekend so I haven't had a chance, yet. I hate when my routines get out of whack!

I'll be catching up on my blogroll later today (hopefully) and tomorrow. :)

I forgot the lace!

I forgot to mention the other day that I also bought metres of some gorgeous lace while in the church op-shop. :)

I'm not entirely sure what I'll be doing with the top lace yet (any ideas?). I just loved it straight away and grabbed it out of the box before anyone else could grab it. Not that there was anyone else around mind you. lol. :)

I was thinking of using the bottom lace to trim some veils I'm planning on making. It's so fine and delicate (the photo doesn't show just how tiny it is!) or maybe for trim on some of the tiny girl dresses I'll be making... I thought it would look beautiful on something, also hopefully, delicate. They're all on my list of many things to make.

Too many projects and not enough lace! :)

Origami!

It all started when I came across this paper kimono tutorial and although I'm not too good it yet, I'm hooked! For now anyway... until I get frustrated and throw a hissy fit. :)

I'm also going to have a go at a crane if I can finally get the hang of the kimono.

With my generally unco-ordinated hands and stubby fingers paper folding has never been a thing I've had any success with, but I'm determined, and that counts for something, right? :)

I figured it.

We had a wonderful day today. First thing this morning Sean treated us to a fancy breakfast at a trendy cafe in town, Red Orange. We've been wanting to try their food for a while but the prices were a put off - so expensive! Once we got there though we found out that all the breakfast menu was half-off! What a break! :)

I didn't take my camera, but you can check out pictures here, and if you do, we were seated in the open area with the palm tree in the middle. :) The room was cool, but to be honest (and I hate speaking badly of things) it wasn't that great.

Maybe it was the high expectations I had placed on it, or maybe it was the half-price food, but the food and the service was pretty ordinary. My breakfast (of scrambled eggs on toast with a side of 2 small rashes of bacon and a small tomato) without a drink was almost $10 half-price!! Out total bill came to almost $30 so I would have had a heart attack if we had just paid $60 for breakfast, $30 was PLENTY! Live and learn I guess... and it was a nice treat to just be out sipping drinks at a swanky cafe, I'll be honest. :)

After that we headed over to my parents house for me to do a bit of gardening and for Sean to help pull a tree down in their garden. I WISH that I had brought along my camera (I need to learn to take it along!) for the wattle tree lopping - it was so funny. Between dad and Sean they had ropes with knots and pulleys going all over the garden tied to all sorts of things so they could cut it while avoiding the sticky wattle! It took us all about an hour to finally get it down, but what a relief when we did!! They have a view over the valley again! :)

I spent a fair bit of the afternoon weeding my old vegetable garden patch. Isn't it amazing how quickly weeds just take over an area?! Especially the Deadly Nightshade which just roots like nothing else! The tiny dirt patch was my pride and joy for months last year and I'm ready to have another go when it's time to plant (and I'll definitely take photos). :)

Unfortunately I didn't stop to think about my back while bending over the garden but BOY do I feel it now! I (stupidly) let my lower back get a chill while bending up and down and now I'm practically an invalid for the night. Hopefully though by tomorrow morning, after a night of warmth and rubbing it will be back to itself. I hope anyway. It's the second time this has happened to me in the past couple of months - first with vacuuming and now with weeding! Maybe I should just lounge on the sofa and let Sean do all the work. What do you think? ;)

What a day!

I'm back! Wow, this week seems to have just flown by, but it's had a great ending. :)

Firstly, I went shopping - well pattern shopping anyway. :) I ended up only spending a few dollars and came home with a lot more than I though I would - I'm sure everyone knows how that goes!

I bought a lot of kids dress and play sewing patterns for a start.

They're mostly patterns from the 60's thru early 80's but who doesn't love a cute vintage play dress?? I couldn't resist. I'll hopefully start sewing some of these up for a couple of friends who have requested a dress or two making.

These were .20c each so all up it cost me $1.80!! I've gone through each of them and although the packets are a bit tattered the patterns are all complete and will be fine to use!

Then I got three sewing patterns for me - I hope to alter them a bit and make some cute outfits! I love the dress/es on the left - they will be great for everyday during this summer! I also love the middle packet's green dress, especially the bodice. I'm going to try adding some length to it along with the first dresses and see how it goes. And lastly in my patterns I had to buy the jammies pattern because I just adored the pajama tops, how cute are they??

Next stop was the knitting and crochet patterns - I can never go past them. :) I managed to pick up these 8 pattern books at .75c each.

There is one book (far left) with no front page filled with 60's jumpers and cardigans and such, 5 Paton's knitting books that I would guess are from the 40's or 50's, a Paragon "Bootee Book" and a Paragon knitting book of 4 layettes a shawl and a reversible pram cover - just gorgeous!!

I love the little knitted outfits (or layettes) of the 30's-50's that babies wore so I was super excited to come across these! I'll be up to a lot of knitting in the near future I bet.

Lastly, my eyes fell upon a freezing book - "In and Out of the Freezer, Deep freezing from A-Z". It's from 1975, but everyone knows that the best book are vintage. :) It's basically a book filled with how to freeze everything. I'm trying to learn the art of freezing. I freeze the majority of our meat right now but sometimes I'm just not sure whether something will stand up for freezing so this is perfect! I haven't had a chance to have a proper look at it yet, but I'll get up to that tonight. :)

That was only the beginning of the day - this afternoon I spent getting up to a bit of sewing I had to finish off. This apron I have been working on in small bits and pieces for about 3 weeks so finally I had time to put it all together. Excuse the bad lighting, need for ironing and marks - I had just finished cleaning the kitchen in it and suddenly remembered I didn't have a photos of it. :)

Then to finish up my day with a bang I got a call this evening announcing the arrival of two packages from the US. Yay!! :) I drove straight over to pick them up and my mum wouldn't let me leave without opening them - I think she was just as excited as I was! lol!

Here they are but I must mention that the photos just don't do them justice! Thank you to Jessica who sent me the beautiful earrings that I'll be wearing tomorrow and vanilla bean dark chocolates - how did you know?? Dark chocolate! My favourite! I've already eaten one. :)

And the quilt I received from Sue Ellen is gorgeous, just amazing quality! Wow! I will definitely be getting more of them when I get some money together. :) Beautiful colours and the tags and various textures will be great for babies! I can't wait to give it to Michaela! She will love it!

So there's my day so far and I'm absolutely exhausted and ready for bed. I'll hopefully post a couple of things tomorrow, but until then have a wonderful blessed day!!

Frugal Friday!

I do a lot of crafts and like many crafty people out there know - all of the bits and pieces can really add up! One thing I've learned to do is to SAVE THE SCRAPS!

I keep a small tupperware container at my side when crafting to throw all of my too-small-to-use scraps of fabric, thread, wool, cotton etc in. These scraps are great for using in the myriad of small projects that need stuffing. You won't need half as much material as you would toy stuffing and with the usual amount of squishing you won't be able to tell the difference!

It is astounding the amount of possible stuffing material that we throw away. Think of those too-short-to-use cotton threads and wool at the end of a project or those bitsy off-cut corners when cutting pieces for a quilt or pattern, or even the extra "bits"of thread from the start and end of a sewn line when you're using a sewing machine!

** and on a side note, last week I spoke about using your heater for drying clothes and humidity in winter - apparently my cats think that the rail also makes a great makeshift heated cat bed! lol

Meme Time

I couldn't help myself, I love meme's. :D

Four Jobs I've Done In My Life:
1. Real Estate Receptionist (I. hate. switchboards. lol)
2. Vet Nurse (loved every second!)
3. Web Designer (for a bank of all things!)
4. Homemaker (and loving it!)

Four Countries I've Been To:
1. England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales... (I feel a song coming on! lol)
2. Hong Kong
3. United States
4. Netherlands

Four Places I'd Rather Be Right Now:
1. In bed under the double doona!
2. Eyam. The countryside is stunning and I love historic towns.
3. Fremantle, WA. Ever since I left I've wanted to go back.
4. Out sailing somewhere. :)

Four Foods I Like to Eat:
1. Chocolate. Mmm...
2. Tacos
3. Creamy pastas
4. Bananas

... and because I love learning all about people, if you read this, consider yourself tagged!

Pay-It-Forward!

What a neat idea! Since the Dog Days of Summer Giveaway I have felt a little left out, I must admit. I so wanted to join in on the fun of giving but I had no blog to share anything with! So this seems like the perfect opportunity!

Pay It Forward (as far as I understand, anyway) works like this: the first three people to comment to this post (and want to participate of course!) will receive something homemade from me within in the next year! (I sew, knit, crochet, quilt and am always trying new crafty things so who knows WHAT you will get! :)) In return you simply post about Pay it Forward and offer the same to the first three people who comment on your post and so forth. :)

Sounds like fun? Just leave a comment and pay it forward! :)

Welcome to the world little Jennifer Duggar!

It's such a blessing to see a family praising God in the media for the birth of a new child being born, and even more so, their 17th! :) Go read the story here.

Time Management

Oh how I need to learn some time management skills!

It's 2 am, I am very tired and yet I must stay up for another half an hour at least. This is what happens when you get distracted from your plans!

Earlier today when I found out we're actually having friends over for dinner tomorrow night/tonight I was excited because 1.) well I was looking forward to seeing them! and 2.) I could finally try out this cake that I have been looking for a reason to make! Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it until tonight after dinner in between the cleaning I had planned to do (Sean worked late) and didn't read the instructions carefully through (beware!) to check how long it would take to make. After a lot of noise, one dead electric beater and uncooked cheesecake everywhere it's finally resting before I put it in the fridge overnight. All things aside, the raw cake tastes delicious! :)

I have tried looking for some time management tips on the web but they all seem to be related to academic studies or business efficiency, which is fine, but what about us who don't work or study, and need help in the home. Surely I can't be the only one who's been in the above predicament?

Biblical Woman Cookbook Giveaway

What a mouthful that was! :)

Make sure that you visit Crystal's blog and enter her Tuesday giveaway of: The One-Armed Cookbook - looks great and sure to be helpful for those with kids! Of course, while you're there look around, it's a great site!

Beautiful Garden!

Please go and check out Hannah's garden at Mountain Musings.

That is one of the most stunning veggie gardens I have seen in a long time. Just look at that pumpkin patch and corn field that I'm sure many kids (and kids at heart) would love to play in! Not to mention the flowers and beautiful produce.

I can't wait until I am able to start one of my own one day when we have a yard, but until then I'll live vicariously through others. :)

Feeling better now...

Thanks to everyone for their kind replies and many visits and a big HI to you all!

We had a busy weekend and I'm still recovering! The visit to our families was a wonderful catch up with lots of food and entertainment of various means. :) Unfortunately, after falling ill on Saturday night, on Sunday I wasn't feeling well enough to go to church, but we had some friends come over who brought with them the sermons on their hearts which was a blessing and a great time of fellowshipping.

Sean and I have booked ourselves into the IBLP seminar for later in the year that we're really excited about. I am really looking forward to learning, growing, and meeting some more awesome future friends. :) Their Financial Freedom seminar has changed our lives so much. If you have the money I would so highly recommend getting a copy of this seminar from Vision Forum (check out their site while you're there!).

I hope to finish two aprons that I have been working on tonight, so I'll get some pictures up of the (hopefully) finished products when I re-find the cable to link up my camera to the laptop. :) The kittens stole it again! lol

With trying to recuperate and not do much over the past couple of days I have read through a lot of my books (again) and I'm looking out for more. Does anyone have any good books, either fiction or non-fiction, that they can recommend? :)